Video: UK Hoops begins individual workouts

The Kentucky men's basketball isn't the only team preparing for its hoops season ahead of time.

Though it's a month and a half until Big Blue Madness, the official start to the 2010-11 basketball season, the Kentucky women's basketball team is beginning its preparation for the upcoming season.

Head coach Matthew Mitchell and his squad began individual workouts Monday at the Joe Craft Center. The team is allowed eight hours of work per week, two of which can be devoted to skill instruction. The other six hours are for weight lifting and conditioning. No more than four players at a time can be together for the skill instruction.

On Sept. 15 until the first day of preseason, the team will be permitted to have the entire team for instruction, but again for only two hours per week.

"The first day is an exciting time," Mitchell said. "I have such high hopes for this group and we've really talked all week long about becoming a team, that first week that we're on campus. Clearly, individual workouts are a big part of what we do, trying to help our players with their individual skills so when we bring it all together, we can work at our maximum level. Individual workouts are important to set the tone."

Also, Mitchell joined Lexy.com Monday to share some of his daily insights. Kentucky fans can log on to Lexy.com to hear his audio tweet by dialing 415-413-8735 or by clicking here. Mitchell is the first women's basketball collegiate coach to join Lexy.